'They didn't use ganja'; Clean chit to MLA's son

ALAPPUZHA: Eyewitnesses have informed police of not seeing the seven people, including MLA U Prathibha’s son Kaniv, using drugs. Two natives of Thakazhi testified in the case.

Alappuzha Asst. Commissioner S. Ashok Kumar gave a report to the State Excise Commissioner saying it was impossible to now register a case against the seven, including MLA’s son. The MLA had complained to the Chief Minister over the excise action against her son. Following this, S. Ashok Kumar conducted an investigation and took statements from the two eyewitnesses.

When the excise registered the case earlier, the two eyewitnesses admitted to seeing the youngsters using ganja. There are nine accused in the case. S. Ashok Kumar's report also states that seven people, including the MLA's son, were not taken for medical examination. The only evidence in the case was the initial police report that confirmed the odor of ganja from the breath of the suspects.

The report also states that there was a lapse in communication with the MLA. Police initially shrouded the news from the MLA and promised to release Kaniv after reaching the station. This promise from the police prompted MLA to come on a Facebook live claiming her son as innocent.

As part of the investigation, the statements of Kuttanad Excise CI Jayaraj, Range Inspector Anilkumar and gang members were taken. An explanation will be sought from the officials based on the report.